Sukhothai was the first capital of Siam (1238-1438). The historical park contains preserved columns, stupas, temples, and royal palaces. Statues of Buddah in this place have happy expressions as this was a peaceful time when the people were content. The park is beautiful, a quiet place for reflection. We rode on 4-person motorcycle carts similar to tuk-tuks to an open-air restaurant for lunch.

As we drove through rice fields today, Otto told us the the story of traditional and present methods of growing rice. We stopped at a wooden rice mill which had been in operation until last year and is now a museum. At a "happy stop" (one where you inspect the toilets), we had a few minutes for a textile museum with old weavings using gold thread. Next to the museum was shopping for textiles and a women was weaving scarves for us to buy, too.

As we drove north to Phrae, we climbed into the forested foothills with teak and bamboo. Two more stops were at a chopstick/bamboo skewer factory and at an indigo shop where we saw how indigo dye was made, how patterns were created with hot wax and then dipped in the die to make batik. Another shopping opportunity. We stayed in Phrae and enjoyed a buffet dinner at the hotel.